Shoe upper pressing and shaping machine



Aug. 24, 1954 E. F. SMALL 2,636,924 SHOE UPPER PRESSING AND SHAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l 7 C j 4 w j 1? J j; Ki 252w)??? iaz/ard (1M Au 24, 1954 E. F. SMALL 2,686,924

SHOE UPPER PRESSING AND SHAPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fipk 1954 E. F. SMALL 2,686,924

SHOE UPPER PRESSING AND SHAPING'MACHINE Filed Au 24, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J Z I 41 H f m I 44 z- 1954 E. F. SMALL 2,686,924

SHOE UPPER PRESSING AND SHAPING MACHINE Filed Au 24. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 24, 1954 SHOE UPPER PRESSING AND SHAPING MACHINE Edward F. Small, Newton, Mass, assig-nor, by

mesne assignments, to Corporation, Boston,

Delaware Compc Shoe Machinery Mass, a corporation. of

Application August 2d, 1951, Serial No. 243,403

26 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for pressing and shaping the uppers of shoes, and more particularly adjacent to the tops thereof, and

has for an object to provide a machine of simple construction for shaping shoe uppers for improved fit and appearance, or for re-shaping the uppers of shoes which have been worn and have become mis-shapen.

A further object is to provide such a machine in which the mechanism which engages the outside of the shoe is given a Wiping motion along the shoe surface with respect to the inside form and which wiping motion is not dependent on any wedging effect between the outer and inner forms or a deflection of any of the parts.

Still another object is to provide for adjustment of the direction of the wipe with respect to the shoe as may be desired in any particular case. Where this direction is forward with respect to the shoe, it tends to turn the heel end of the shoe inwardly as well as to narrow it at the top. Where the direction is upward with respect to the shoe, it tends to extend the outer above the edge of the lining and conceal it. Combinations of both directions are also possible.

For a complete understanding of this inven tion reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are front and side elevations, respectively, of a machine embodying the invention and shown as open for the reception of a shoe as shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a view partly in front elevation and partly broken away and in section of the same machine in shoe pressing condition.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on line i of Figure 1.

Figures 5 and 6 are detail sectional views on lines 5-5 and 5-45, respectively, of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing a modification.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional View on line 8-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a view partly in front elevation and partly broken away and in section showing a modified construction.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 9.

Figures 11 and 12 are detail sectional views on lines ii-H and i2l2, respectively, of Figure 9, other adjustments of the parts being shown in dotted lines.

[3-43 of Figure 12.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 to 6, in

clusive, the. machine comprises a base i to which are pivoted at spaced points the lower ends of a pair of crossed levers 2', thefulcrums of these levers being on the fulcrum pins 3. Between these fulcrum pins there is a lug l upstanding from the base I and to it is secured, as by a thumb screw 5, a gooseneck member ii. To the upper end of this: gooseneck member '5 there is secured an inside shoe form l, the narrowed heel end portion 8 of which projects downwardly, while the wider forward portion at 81 extends upwardly.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this: form is substantially between the levers 2 above on the opposite side of their crossing from the fulcrum pins 3. To the inner faces of these levers 2 are pivotally secured blocks It. whichcarry an outer pressure member 6 which is looped downwardly and extends around the heel end B of the form, and extends up on either side of this form. This outer pressing form or member is carried by a pair of blocks 12 and I3, which, as shown in Figure 3, are arranged to have the heel end of one, as the block 12, overlap the heel end of the other or block l3 when the blocks are pressed toward the inner form and engage the element llthere around. This overlapping of the heel ends of the blocks l2 and it applies: direct forward pressure against the outer presser member H when the forms are closed, and backs up the presser member I l, the forward ends of which are pulled forwardly with respect to theinner form by the forward motion of the blocks 12 and it, thus to relieve the member, I! from stretching stresses. Where such stretching stresses of the member Ii may not be objectionable, the iii-turned rear ends of the blocks l2 and it may be omitted, thus simplifying the block construction The element Ii may be provided with an inside facing of leather, or the like, andcushioning material such. as rubber at l5 may be interposed between its outer face and the blocks 52 or l3. Pins it extending outwardly from the, blocks i2 and it: may engage in holes in the blocks til thus to retain the blocks. [2 and It in proper position ther on and they maybe retained in position by thumb screws l8 threaded into. the blocks [-2 and i3 and with their heads engaging the, outer faces or flange portions H of the blocks Iii. In order that the levers 2 may be swung together, one of them may carry a pin l9, which rides in a horizontal elongated slot I in the other where they. cross side of its central plane from the point where heel end of the form toward the forward end thereof, Thus the outer presser member H as it is tightened about the sides of the inner form is also pushed forwardly thereon against the heel end 8, the result being that the top edge portion of a shoe upper, as at in Figures 4, 5 and 6, is forced against the inner form, being curved inwardly slightly as shown in Figure 5 at the rear end thereof and turned inwardly thereof slightly around the side portions by pressure against the inside form as is shown in Figure 6, the inner faces of the blocks l2 and i3 being concaved opposite thereto. The extent to which the margins are inwardly turned may be determined by the positioning of the shoe on the inner form, the higher the shoe is placed on the form (to the right in Figures 4, 5 and 6), the more'the turning, up to a maximum, as will be evident by an inspection of these figures.

Means are provided by which the upper ends of the levers 2 are brought together to produce the wrapping engagement of the outer form around the upper of a shoe supported on the inner form, and this means provides for a tight final engagement and for locking the parts in this position until such time as it is desired to remove the shoe from the form. To this end, one of the levers 2 has pivoted at its upper end thereto, as at 2|, a handle arm 22 and this arm is connected to the upper end of the opposite lever 2 by means of a link 23'. This link is shown as pivoted to the handle member 22 spaced slightly from the pivot 2| as on the pivot 24, and it is also pivoted to the opposite lever 2 as on the pivot 25. As shown best in Figure 3, this pivot 25 is adjustable in a slot 26 through the link 23, this pivot bearing against the inner end of an adjusting screw 21 threaded through one end of the link 23 and held in adjusted position by means of a knurled thumb nut 28 threaded thereon. It will be noted that when the handle 22 is moved to its downwardly extending position shown in Figure 3, the handle and the link 23 together form a toggle with the pivot 2| slightly above a line connecting the pivots 24 and 25, the link having a notch 29 on its under face to receive the pivot 2|, so that the toggle is now made, which effectively locks the parts in closed positions. Upon lifting the handle 22, this toggle is broken, the pivot 24 moving above the pivot 2| and above a line connecting the pivots 2! and 25. The parts are now open so that a shoe may be placed over the inner form I with its heel end positioned downwardly and within the outer presser member II and with the top edge of its upper closely adjacent to the forward face 30 of the inner form as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The mechanism for closing the blocks toward the inner form, interconnecting the levers, also insures automatic equalization of pressure on opposite sides of the inner form and the amount of this pressure may be regulated by adjusting the screw 21. It will be noted, also, that thi mechanism is supported entirely by these levers.

Preferably the inner form is heated, as by an electric heating unit (not shown), which produces a shrinking effect on the shoe upper and helps to shape it to the desired contour.

It will also be noted that the gooseneck 6 is capable of bending somewhat so that a resilient pressure is exerted by the outer form through the action of the blocks l2 and I3 upon the shoe upper, while the rubber backing for the leather facing of the element provides for the desired yielding pressure.

In Figure 7 a slight modification is shown in which the inner form I is inclined to the vertical somewhat more than is shown in the form shown in Figure 2 as this presents the shoe in a somewhat more convenient angular position for the operator. Other than this, however, the construction is the same as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6.

While in the machine shown in Figures 1 to 8, the angular relationship between the shoe and the plane of swinging motion of the levers is fixed, and this plane of motion is described as vertical, in many cases it may be desired to have this shoe form angularly adjustable in a plane transverse to the swinging direction of the levers and to arrange the levers to swingin other than Vertical planes. Thus where the length of the shoe is maintained closely parallel to the plane of swing of the levers, the wiping eifect on the shoe upper when the machine is in use is forwardly of the shoe. .In some cases, however, it may be desired that this wiping eiTect be along the height of the shoeor at some intermediate angular position. Where the wiping action is heightwise of the shoe its effect is primarily to wipe the outer upwardly, extending its upper edge beyond the edge of the lining and tending to conceal the lining edge.

In Figures 9 to 13, a machine has been illustrated in which this adjustable angularity may be produced. Referring to these figures, the levers 2a, which are pivoted to the base I, as on the pivots 3, and interconnected where they cross by the pin l9, have outer presser members 40 which are pivoted against portions 4| of each of the levers, these portions 4| facing and being substantially opposite thereto when the machine is in pressing position as shown in Figure 9. The outer presser means 4| are pivoted on the pivots 43, each of which has a knurled head 44 on its outer end which engages the outside face of its respective lever 2a. The inner end of each of the pivots 43 is secured as by threading in the outer presser member 4|], these two parts having mating faces adapted to be clamped together.

The portions 4| may be provided with a series of holes 42 arranged in arcuate form about the axis of the pivot pin 43 so that the parts may be held in adjusted angular position as by means of plugs 45 which may be inserted through holes at 46 in these parts and into mating holes in the parts 4|. By tightening the pivots 43 in the members 40 by turning the knurled heads 44 of the pivots in the proper direction, the outer presser members 40 may be rigidly secured in desired angular positions.

The upper ends of the levers 2a may be connected as by arm 22 and the links 23, in the same manner as described with reference to the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The outer form members 40 may, if desired, have a loop facing ||a such as the member shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. I

An inner shoe form which may be employed with the machine shown in Figures 9 and 10 may also be constructed for angular adjustment. Such a form is shown best in Figures 12 and 13, and may comprise the two longitudinal sections 50 which may be secured in face to face relation as by screws 5|. The confronting faces of these sections may be recessed at one portion, the two recesses together forming a socket 52 sections within which may be extended a supporting bar 53 carried by the bracket 54which may be secured to the base I in the same manner as the support 6 shown in Figures 2 and 7. This bar 53 is pivotedwithin the socket on the pivot pin 56 so that the inner form may be turned. angularly from the position shown in Figure 12 in full lines to the dotted line position. It may be securediin any one of several angular positions as by means of a locking pin 51 engageable through an opening 53 in the bar 53 and in any selected of a plurality of openings 53 in a pair of spaced wingportions 64) extending from the inner form Also these form sections 50 may be recessed in their confronting faces as, at 65 to form a socket for the reception of an electric heating element 65.

When the levers 2a are moved up into pressing position, shown in Figure 9, the pivots 43 for the outer presser members and the pivot 56 of the inner form are substantially in alinement and the angularity of the inner form and the outer members ill are adjusted to. correspond to each other. There is also. some wiping efiect due to flexure of the gooseneck supporting the form which is independent of the angular adjustment of the form.

Ii-his application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 81,045 filed March 12,

1949 for Shoe Upper Pressing and Shaping Machine, now abandoned.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various further changes and modifications may be made without departing from its spirit or scope.

1. A machine of theclassdescribed, comprising a base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points and rockable. in substantially a vertical plane, an inner shoe form supported from said base between said levers and above the crossing of said levers, an outer presser member supported by said levers, and means for swinging said levers to bring said outer presser member toward and from the sides of a shoe supported on said inner form.

2. A machine of the class described, comprising a base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points, an inner shoe form mounted between said levers on the opposite side of. the crossing from said pivots, outer presser means carried by said levers for engaging a shoe mounted on said form, and means actuable to swing said levers.

r '3. A machine of theclass described, comprising a, base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points, connections between said levers where they cross insuring simultaneous rocking thereof, an inner shoe form mounted between said levers on the opposite side of saidconnections from their pivots to said base, outer presser means carried by said levers for engaging. a shoe mounted on said form, and means actuable to swing said levers.

. 4. A machine of the class described, comprisan inner shoe form, outer shoe presser means forengagement with the opposite sides of said form, a pair of crossed levers fulcrumed at spaced points, and carrying said outerpresser means, and, means carried by and interconnecting said levers and actuable to move said levers toward and from each other to close orrelease said outer presser means from said inner form.

; 5. A machine of the class described, compris- 6 ing an inner form over which the upper of a shoe may be supported, an outer presser member extending around the heel end of said form and forwardly on each side, presser elements engaging said member opposite to the sides of said form, levers supporting said elements, each lever being fulcrumed beyond the heel end of and on the opposite side of the central longitudinal plane of said inner form from the element supported thereby to move its element forwardly and inwardly toward a shoe on said form as its lever is swung in one direction, and means for swinging said levers toward and from each other to thereby press the upper of a shoe on said form and release said upper.

6. A machine of the class described comprising an inner form. over which the upper of a shoe may be supported, an outer presser member extending around the heel end of said form and forwardly on each side, presser elements engaging said member oppositeto the sides of said form, levers supporting said elements, each lever being fulcrumed beyond the heel end of and on the opposite side of the central longitudinal plane of said inner form from the element supported thereby to move its element forwardly and inwardly toward a shoe on said form as its lever is swung in one direction, and means for swinging said levers toward and from each other to thereby press the upper of a shoe on said form and release said upper, said elements lapping past each other at the heel end when closed about said form.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising an inner form over which the upper of a shoe may be supported, an outer presser member extending around the heel end of said form and forwardly on each side, presser elements engaging said member opposite to the sides of said form, levers supporting said elements, each lever being fulcrumed beyond the hee1 end of and on the opposite side of the central longitudinal plane of said inner form from the element supported thereby to move its element forwardly and inwardly toward a shoe on said form as its lever is swung in one direction, and toggle mechanism. connecting said levers and actuable to swing said levers toward each other while making the toggle and away from each other while breaking the toggle.

8. A machine of the class described, comprising an inner form over which the upper of a shoe may be supported, an outer presser member extending around the heel end of said form and forwardly on each side, presser elements engaging said member opposite to the sides of said form, levers supporting said elements, each lever being fulcrumed beyond the heel end of and on the opposite side of the central. longitudinal plane of said inner form from the element supported thereby to move its element forwardly and inwardly toward a shoe on said form as its lever is swung in. one direction, an arm pivoted to one of said levers, and a link pivoted to the other of said levers and to said arm outwardly of said arm pivot, said link and arm forming a toggle connection between said levers made when said levers are. swung toward each other by motion of said arm and broken when said levers are swung away from each other by reverse motion of said arm.

9. A machine of the class described, comprising anuinner form over which the upper of a shoe may be supported, an outerpresser member extending around the heel end of said form and forwardly on each side, presser elements engaging said member opposite to the sides of said form, levers supporting said elements, each lever being fulcrumed beyond the heel end of and on the opposite side of the central longitudinal plane of said inner form from the element supported thereby to move its element forwardly and inwardly toward a shoe on said form as its lever is swung in one direction, an arm pivoted to one of said levers, a link pivoted to the other of said levers and to said arm outwardly of said arm pivot, said link and arm forming a toggle connection between said levers made when said levers are swung toward each other by motion of said arm and broken when said levers are swung away from each other by reverse motion of said arm, and means for adjusting the pivotal connection between said link and said other lever to adjust the relative positions of said levers when said toggle is made.

10. A machine of the class described, comprising an inner shoe form, an outer presser member shaped to engage about the heel end and the sides of said form, and crossed levers pivoted at spaced points and engageable with said outer member at the sides of said form and movable to press said member against the sides of said form and with a component of pressure forwardly to press said member against the heel end of said form, said engaging means including parts overlapping at the heel end of said form when said member is in pressing position and applying forward pressure to said member at said end.

11. A machine of the class described, comprising a base, a pair of levers pivoted to said base and rockable in substantially a vertical plane, an inner shoe form supported from said base between said levers, and with its heel end extending downwardly, an outer presser member supported by said levers, and means for swinging said levers to bring said outer presser member toward and from the sides of a shoe supported on said inner form, said swinging means com prising a handle pivoted to one of said levers and a link connecting said handle with the other of said levers.

12. A machine of the class described, comprising a base, a pair of levers pivoted to said base, an inner shoe form supported from said base between said levers, presser means supported by said levers, and means for swinging said levers to bring said outer presser means toward and from the sides of a shoe supported on said inner form, said swinging means comprising a handle pivoted to one of said levers and a link connectin said handle with the other of said levers.

13. A machine of the class described, comprising a base, a pair of levers pivoted to said base, an inner shoe form supported from said base between said levers, outer presser means supported by said levers, means for swinging said levers to bring said outer presser means toward and from the sides of a shoe supported on said inner form, said swinging means comprising a handle pivoted to one of said lever and a link connecting said handle with the other of said levers, and means interconnecting said levers and insuring substantially equal and opposite swinging motions of said levers when said swinging means is actuated.

14. A machine of the class described, comprising a base, a pair of levers pivoted to said base to swing in parallel planes, a shoe form over which a shoe may be placed carried by said base between said levers, said shoe form bein mounted for angular adjustment in a plane transverse to the swinging direction of said levers, an outer presser means angularly adjustable with respect to and carried by said levers for pressing a shoe on said inner form, and means-for swinging said levers.

15. In combination, a base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points and having portions movable from and toward each other as said levers are swung about their pivots, a shoe form over which a shoe may be placed positioned between said portions, and outer shoe presser means carried by said portions.

16. In combination, a base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points and having portions movable from and toward each other as said levers are swung about their pivots, a shoe form over which a shoe may be placed positioned between said portions, and outer shoe presser means carried by said portions and pivoted thereto about centers arranged substantially in the planes of swinging motion of their respective levers.

17. In combination, a base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points and having portions movable from and toward each other as said levers are swung about their pivots, a shoe form over which a shoe may be placed positioned between said portions, outer shoe presser means carried by said portions and pivoted thereto about centers arranged substantially in the planes of swinging motion of their respective levers, and means for retaining said members in desired positions of angular adjustment about their respective pivots.

18. In combination, a base, a pair of crossed levers pivoted to said base at spaced points and havin portions movable from and toward each other as said levers are swung about their pivots, a shoe form over which a shoe may be placed positioned between said portions, outer shoe presser means carried by said portions and pivoted thereto about centers arranged substantially in the planes of swinging motion of their respective levers, and means for retaining said members in desired positions of angular adjustment about their respective pivots, said shoe form being pivotally supported and adjustable to correspond to the pivotal adjustment of said members.

19, In a machine of the class described, comprisinga base, a gooseneck support extending upwardly from said base, a shoe supporting form secured to the upper end of said 'gooseneck support with its heel supporting end downwardly extending, a pair of levers each pivoted to said support at one side of a vertical plane passing through the heel portion of said support and extending laterally beneath said form and upwardly on the opposite side thereof, an outer presser member extending around the heel end of said form and upwardly along opposite sides thereof and having side portions secured to said levers, a handle pivoted to the upper end of one of said levers to swing toward and from the other of said levers, and a link pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of said other lever and at the other end to saidhandle, said handle being rockable from and to a position where its pivotal connection to said one lever lies between and substantially in line with the pivot connections of said link, in which position said outer presser member is in tight wrapping engagement about the heel end and sides of said inner form.

20. A shoe upper forming machine, comprising an inner form over which the upper of a shoe may be supported, an outer presser member shaped to engage one side of said form, and a lever carrying said outer presser member and fulcrumed on the opposite side of said form from said outer presser member.

21. A shoe upper forming machine, comprising an inner form over which a shoe may be supported, a pair of outer presser members each shaped to engage with a side of said inner form, levers each fulcrumed at one side of said form and carrying the outer presser member engageable with the opposite side of said form, and means for swinging said levers.

22. A shoe upper forming machine, comprising an inner form over which a shoe may be supported, a pair of outer presser members each shaped to engage with aside of said inner form, levers each fulcrumed at one side of said form and carrying the outer presser member engageable with the opposite side of said form, means interconnecting said levers for simultaneous swinging motion, and means for swinging said levers.

23. A shoe upper forming machine, comprising an inner form over which a shoe may be supported, a pair of outer presser members each shaped to engage with a side of said inner form, levers each fulcrumed at one side of said form and carrying the outer presser member engageable with the opposite side of said form, said levers crossing each other between their fulcra and outer pressing members, means interconnecting said levers where they cross each other insuring simultaneous swinging motion thereof, and means for swinging said levers.

24, A machineof the class described comprising a pair of crossed levers mounted to swing from spaced points with portions movable from and toward each other, an inner shoe form mounted between said portions, presser means operatively connected to said portions for engaging a shoe mounted on said form, and means actuable to swing said levers.

25. A machine of the class described, comprising a base, a pair of levers pivoted to said base to swing in parallel planes, a shoe form over which a shoe may be placed carried by said base between said levers, said shoe form being mounted for angular adjustment in a plane transverse to the swinging direction of said levers, an outer presser means angularly adjustable with respect to and operatively related to said levers for pressing a shoe on said inner form, and means for swinging said levers.

26. A machine of the class described comprising a sho form mounted for angular adjustment, an arm mounted to swing toward and :from said form, presser means operatively related to said arm to be moved by motion thereof toward and from a shoe carried by said form, and means mounting said presser means for angular adjustment in accordance with the angular adjustment of said form.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,164,864 Dove et al. July 4, 1939 2,167,410 Smith July 25, 1939 2,171,543 Dodge Sept. 5, 1939 2,259,566 Jalbert Oct. 21, 1941 2,302,220 Huntoon Nov. 17, 1942 2,303,271 Dodge Jan. 12, 1943 2,334,512 Sharpe Nov. 16, 1943 2,459,310 Crow 'Jan. 18, 1949 

